E36 intermittent starting

[Palfrem]

Most times my lovely car fires up first turn of the key.

Now and again, it almost fires - then dies.

I then have to turn the starter for about 20 - 30 seconds.

It then fires, coughs and splutters and misses for a few seconds, smokes, then settles down to a smooth tickover and back to normal drive.

Sort of similar symptoms to before it had one coil pack replaced.

Time to have another pack?

 

[jaymanek]

Sounds more like a fuelling issue? Next time it does this, check if you can hear the fuel pump buzzing when you turn the key in the ignition.